The Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat joined forces with the Coastguard Rescue 117 helicopter today to come to the aid of a 75-foot fishing vessel that got into difficulties off the Old Head of Kinsale in west Cork.
Coxswain Mark Gannon and a crew of six were on board the Frederick Storey Cockburn within minutes of being alerted by the Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in Valentia around 11am.
The Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter was also launched from Waterford.
The fishing vessel with five crew members on board had put out a distress signal when its hull was breached in difficult sea conditions and was taking in water.
Conditions were very difficult with Force 7/8 winds and high sea swells.
Just after 12 noon, the Coast Guard dropped an emergency salvage pump and winch man on to the fishing vessel deck and the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat also readied its pump.
Plans were finalised to pump the water from the stricken vessel while the lifeboat stood by in readiness for evacuation or any other assistance, if required.
The vessel was then escorted at a safe speed back into Kinsale Harbour, arriving just after 4pm.
The Courtmacsherry RNLI Lifeboat Deputy Launch Authority Vincent O'Donovan said: "Great credit is due to all our volunteer crew members who rushed to answer the call-out this morning and headed into very rough seas to help others in distress."
He praised the crews of both the Coastguard Rescue 117 and lifeboat in carrying out a very professional rescue involving salvage pumps in rough seas and strong winds.
It was the thirteenth call-out of 2021 for the Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat station.
